Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Avon
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library. Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it.

All Charlotte Highroad knows is this: it wasn't her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers' true identity, she'll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she's ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn't got a clue.

But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit...and melt a woman's knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte's safety is the truth about his dark past. 

Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte's feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who's sworn to never love?

Review:
When Charlotte attends a house party with her mother, she knows her mother will do whatever she can to get Charlotte engaged to a titled and rich man. So Charlotte meets Piers, Lord Granville, in the library to assure him that marriage is the last thing on her mind, especially to someone so cold and distant. But while they're having this conversation, a couple walks into the room and Piers drags Charlotte behind a curtain to stay hidden so they won't be caught alone. They wait until the couple is done making love on the sofa a few feet away before they can escape, but unfortunately Charlotte's mother discovers them. Piers doesn't want anyone to find out that he's actually a spy and he was in the library to find out information for a mission, so he does the only thing he can—he proposes marriage. Charlotte believes in love, though, and will do anything she can so they aren't forced to marry. She tries to find the real couple that was in the library while they were behind the curtain, but as she does a little spying herself she begins to develop real feelings for Piers. Can Piers open his heart to Charlotte before time runs out and can Charlotte figure out the mystery before she falls in love?

If you're familiar with Tessa Dare, then you know that Charlotte is the sister of Minerva and Diana from the Spindle Cove series, but Do You Want to Start a Scandal isn't set in spindle cover. I was very pleasantly surprised by Do You Want to Start a Scandal and it is now my absolute favorite Tessa Dare novel of all time. Charlotte was so precious. She's was so cute and humorous in the way she rambled and I loved her positive outlook on love. Piers on the other hand was a perfect hero—mysterious, distant and oh so sexy. The two of them together was explosive. From the first page I felt their chemistry and I laughed out loud at so many of the shenanigans these characters got into, including the scene where Piers and Charlotte hid behind the curtain while a couple makes love a few feet away. The writing was also phenomenal. I've always loved Tessa Dare but this one is a step above her other novels—it flowed so well and the writing was outstanding.

I definitely recommend Do You Want to Start a Scandal to anyone looking for a well written and fun historical romance.

Rating:

Good Earls Don't Lie by Michelle Willingham
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Netgalley (in exchange for an honest review)


Summary (from Amazon):
Lady Rose Thornton never expected to find a half-naked man in her garden. The handsome Irishman claims to be the Earl of Ashton, but was Iain Donovan truly robbed by thieves? Or is he merely an impoverished stranger lying to her?

After losing everything in the potato famine, Iain is searching for a wife whose dowry will save his estate. The beautiful and charming Lady Rose, unable to walk because of an illness that stole her strength, agrees to help him find a wife, but only if he will help her learn to take her first steps.

As their friendship takes root and blossoms into something more, secrets about Iain's birthright threaten the growing feelings between them. He has no right to love a woman like Rose, who deserves a better life than he can give her. Rose believes that there is more to Iain than a broken past, and she brings light to his shadows.

Within the walls of a secret garden, sometimes miracles happen...

Review:
After losing her ability to walk after eating bad potatoes, Rose tries to regain her strength so she can walk on her own again. But while attempting to do so in the garden, she comes across a half-naked man. Iain lost his clothes and horse to thieves, which isn't a good start to his time in England. He, as the new Earl of Ashton, came to England looking for a rich bride in order to save his estate and those who depend on it, and Rose agrees to help after hearing his predicament. But as they spend more time together, their friendship turns into something more, but can they give into their desires or is it better to go separate ways?

I really liked the idea of Rose not being able to walk, because it was interesting seeing her try to overcome her disability. I also liked that Rose and Iain began as friends and it took some time to develop romantic feelings toward each other. But I think that's where the book fell flat for me, because I didn't feel the chemistry between Rose and Iain, which was disappointing. Therefore, it was hard to root for the couple since I couldn't see them together in a romantic sense. The characters also made too many excuses as to why they couldn't be together, which was a little frustrating. I thought they could have easily sorted out their differences instead of yearning for each other from afar.

Overall, although Good Earls Don't Lie was well written, I was disappointed by the lack of chemistry between Rose and Iain.

Rating: 

Here are this week's new releases:

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - September 27, 2016
1.) A Highlander's Christmas Kiss by Paula Quinn
Summary (from Amazon):
Christmas may be coming to Linavar, but Temperance Menzie is far from joyful. Grief-stricken over the death of her father at the hands of the Black Riders, she almost didn't see the wounded stranger in the woods. And now she's determined to give this braw, brooding Highlander the help she couldn't give her father. But there's a secret lurking in the depths of his blue-gray eyes. And Temperance won't rest until she uncovers it...

A killer for hire. It's the last thing Cailean Grant ever thought he'd become, but being part of the Black Riders was his only way to survive. Now, his guilt grows day by day, along with his desire for the beautiful, brave lass nursing him back to health. As Christmas, the season of miracles, draws near and the truth of his identity threatens to come out, Cailean must risk the only thing he has left to lose—his heart.

2.) Tainted Bride by A.S. Fenichel
Summary (from Amazon):
Sailing to London, Sophia Braighton only hopes to escape certain ruin. But when she arrives, her Great Aunt Daphne has other plans for the American-born beauty. Determined to marry off her niece to a man of means, she propels Sophia into London society, not knowing that the young woman's trust in men is shattered. In fact, Sophia never expects to ever feel anything for a man. Then again, she never expects to find herself in the company of the dashing earl of Marlton...

From the moment he sees Sophia, Daniel Fallon feels alive in a way he has not since his broken engagement. Though the vulnerable beauty shies from the passion burning bright between them, Daniel is determined to court her and make her his bride. And when he learns of the painful secrets she harbors, he is equally determined to take revenge on the man responsible. But will the quest destroy him—and his future with his beloved?

3.) The Perks of Loving a Scoundrel by Jennifer McQuiston
Summary (from Amazon):
No one loves books more than Miss Mary Channing. Perhaps that's why she's reached the ripe old age of six-and-twenty without ever being kissed. Her future may be as bland as milk toast, but Mary is content to simply dream about the heroes and adventures she reads about in her books. That way she won't end up with a villain instead.

When she unexpectedly finds herself in the arms of Geoffrey Westmore, London's most notorious scoundrel, it feels a bit like a plot from one of her favorite novels. Suddenly, Mary understands why even the smartest heroines can fall prey to a handsome face. And Westmore is more handsome than most. But far worse than the damage to her reputation, the moment's indiscretion uncovers an assassination plot that reaches to the highest levels of society and threatens the course of the entire country. When a tight-laced miss and a scoundrel of epic proportions put their minds together, nothing can stand in their way. But unless they put their hearts together as well, a happy ending is anything but assured.

4.) Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare
Summary (from Amazon):
On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library. Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan? Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall? Perhaps the butler did it. All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn't her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers' true identity, she'll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she's ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn't got a clue.

But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit...and melt a woman's knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte's safety is the truth about his dark past. Their passion is intense. Their danger is real. Soon Charlotte's feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who's sworn to never love?

5.) Highland Chieftain by Hannah Howell
Summary (from Amazon):
Responsible for protecting her younger siblings from their abusive father, Bethoc Matheson is in no position to rescue another soul in Scotland. Yet when she sees a bleeding man on the verge of drowning, that's exactly what she does, securing him safely in a cave where she can return day after day to tend to his wounds.

Sir Callum MacMillan can scarcely believe such a slight lass as Bethoc could save him from the grasp of death. But he knows the telltale marks of an angry fist on her skin, and he knows she has the soul of a fighter within her feminine frame. Raised to be a protector of the weak by his Murray clansmen, Callum would prefer to be the one saving her—and save her, he will. If he can first survive the treacherous attack that led him into her irresistible arms...

6.) Good Earls Don't Lie by Michelle Willingham
Summary (from Amazon):
Lady Rose Thornton never expected to find a half-naked man in her garden. The handsome Irishman claims to be the Earl of Ashton, but was Iain Donovan truly robbed by thieves? Or is he merely an impoverished stranger lying to her? After losing everything in the potato famine, Iain is searching for a wife whose dowry will save his estate. The beautiful and charming Lady Rose, unable to walk because of an illness that stole her strength, agrees to help him find a wife, but only if he will help her learn to take her first steps.

As their friendship takes root and blossoms into something more, secrets about Iain's birthright threaten the growing feelings between them. He has no right to love a woman like Rose, who deserves a better life than he can give her. Rose believes that there is more to Iain than a broken past, and she brings light to his shadows. Within the walls of a secret garden, sometimes miracles happen...

7.) A Chance Encounter by Mary Balogh
Summary (from Amazon):
**This is a digital reissue of a previously published and long out-of-print novel
Elizabeth Rossiter is forever finished with love—after a disastrous episode that left her with a broken heart and a reputation that would be ruined should her scandalous secret be revealed. She sought safety by fleeing her proper station in society to take a position as companion to the daughter of a wealthy family, far from London, where Elizabeth's beauty and wit had once shone so brightly.

But now her hope of a safe haven is shattered. To her horror, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again has appeared in this rural retreat. Robert Denning, the handsome, faithless Marquis of Hetherington, made a mockery of her dreams once before—and now he is working his old magic and mischief in her life once more.



CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Tuesday - September 27, 2016
1.) We Need a Little Christmas by Sierra Donovan
Summary (from Amazon):
With its festive Snowed Inn and year-round Christmas store, the pretty town of Tall Pine knows how to do the holidays right. But this year, Liv Tomblyn's homecoming trip may be bittersweet. Liv's grandmother died soon after Thanksgiving, leaving a lifetime of belongings to sort through. Soon Liv is surrounded by memories, including a retro silver Christmas tree. And there's Liv's old friend Scott Leroux—the one-time class clown who's become the town's go-to handyman.

Scott enjoyed helping Liv's Nammy with little fix-it jobs in recent years, but now he's wondering if the crafty grandma had a much larger project in mind. Everything—from Nammy's mysteriously malfunctioning heater to that silver tree—seems to be conspiring to throw Liv and Scott together. Not that Scott objects. For though Liv insists she'll leave Tall Pine when the holidays are over, he's hoping their holiday kisses might thaw her resolve and make this Christmas truly unforgettable.

2.) Christmas on My Mind by Janet Dailey
Summary (from Amazon):
The little town of Branding Iron, Texas, keeps an annual tradition that makes the holidays especially festive—the Cowboys' Christmas Ball. But Sheriff Ben Marsden, busy with work, joint custody of his son, and caring for his aging mother, has no plans to attend. Not until a pretty newcomer to his small town gets involved in the planning. Suddenly Ben finds himself wanting to keep a close eye on Jessica Ramsey, and not just because her relatives seem to be in jail more than out. He can tell the mysterious redhead has secrets in her past, but now that she's bought a little fixer upper with her mom to start a bed and breakfast, the whole family's turning over a new leaf. With the prospect of dancing and celebrating ahead, surely there's time for everyone to unwind. Because this year, more than ever, Ben's got Christmas—and loving—on his mind.

3.) A Christmas Bride by Hope Ramsay
Summary (from Amazon):
Tis the season in Shenandoah Falls and the first time Willow Peterson has been home in years. But she's determined to fulfill the wishes of her recently deceased best friend and restore Eagle Hill Manor to its former glory—all in time to host the perfect holiday wedding. She just has to get the owner of the historic inn to hire her. Unfortunately, that means dealing with Scrooge himself...

After the death of his wife, David Lyndon has a bah-humbug approach to Christmas. But as December counts down and the wedding planning is in full swing, it's harder and harder to stay immune to the charms of Willow, especially when he sees how much joy she brings his eight-year-old daughter. After a simple kiss under the mistletoe turns into something more, David is hoping he can turn the magic of the holiday season into the love of a lifetime.

4.) Christmas Comes to Main Street by Olivia Miles
Summary (from Amazon):
Tis the worst season to be single, but Kara Hastings won't let a little Christmas funk spoil the festive season. Sure, running her own bakery is a little harder than she expected, but she can handle it. And she'll prove it to a certain infuriatingly handsome, bossy Big City guy. She may be sugar and spice, but she can kick his butt twice.

Nate Griffin is in Briar Creek only for the holidays, and he refuses to fall for the whole "small town, candy cane-scented Christmas Wonderland" thing. He's more interested in the fresh-faced cookie chef who always knows exactly how to get under his skin. So when Nate challenges Kara in the town's big holiday contest, it's not just the competition that starts to heat up. If he's not careful, Kara won't just melt his icy resolve against a small-town Christmas...she'll melt his heart too.

5.) Merry Cowboy Christmas by Carolyn Brown
Summary (from Amazon):
Tis the night before Christmas and all through the house is the presence of one wickedly hot cowboy who's come to stay for the holiday. Fiona Logan is downright shocked to return to her childhood home and find that the tall blond stranger who came to her rescue on an icy road will be sleeping just across the hall from her bedroom. Talk about temptation...

Jud Dawson never believed the Lucky Penny Ranch would live up to its name until now. Fiona is gorgeous, smart, funny, and everything he thought he'd never find. Now all he has to do is convince her to stick around town instead of hightailing it back to Houston. But with wild weather, nosy neighbors, and a new baby in the family, getting her to admit that she's falling in love might just take a Christmas miracle.

6.) The Trouble with Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis 
Summary (from Amazon):
Willa Davis is wrangling puppies when Keane Winters stalks into her pet shop with frustration in his chocolate-brown eyes and a pink bedazzled cat carrier in his hand. He needs a kitty sitter, stat. But that last thing Willa needs is to rescue a guy who doesn't even remember her...

Saddled with his great-aunt's Feline from Hell, Keane is desperate to leave her in someone else's capable hands. But in spite of the fact that he's sure he's never seen the drop-dead gorgeous pet shop owner before, she seems to be mad at him...

Willa can't deny that Keane's changed since high school: he's less arrogant, for one thing—but can she trust him not to break her heart again? It's time to throw a coin in the fountain, make a Christmas wish—and let the mistletoe do its work...

7.) Locked and Loaded by Mandy Baxter
Summary (from Amazon):
Charlotte Cahill intends to take down an infamous diamond smuggler on the FBI's Most Wanted list—and she intends to do it by the book. That won't be easy with the cocky new temporary deputy on her task force. Mason Decker feels like trouble, especially when his cool gaze wanders across her hot body...

After his time as a Customs officer, Decker has enough experience hanging out with criminals to know that working undercover means following your instincts, not the rules. It doesn't take long for him to lock horns with Cahill. But when the sexy assistant U.S. attorney is accidentally dragged out of her orderly world and into the turn-on-a-dime tension of Decker's deceptive games, she'll find that nothing is as seductive as playing a new role...

8.) Holiday In Your Heart by Susan Fox
Summary (from Amazon):
As the holidays approach, the air is filled with the festive sounds of bells chiming and carolers singing. Maribeth Scott loves Christmas, but she's pretty sure that after years of waiting, Santa isn't finally going to gift her with Mr. Right. In fact, the only thing she truly wants for Christmas is a baby to love. At thirty-nine, she's determined to become a mother and she will make it happen, even if she has to do it on her own.

When Mo Kincaid returns to the rustic town after almost twenty years away, he's seeking redemption from his checkered past. The last thing on his mind is romance, and he's certain he doesn't deserve it. But now there's irresistible Maribeth, showing him the true spirit of Christmas and winning his heart. For the first time in Mo's life, the future looks bright. One one thing stands between them: Maribeth's deep desire for a child and Mo's conviction that he's too flawed to be a father. Is his world-weary heart ready to take the ultimate leap of faith?

9.) Blame It on the Cowboy by Delores Fossen
Summary (from Amazon):
All of Logan McCord's carefully laid plans erupt the day he walks in on his would-be fiancee getting...well, not so carefully laid. Tonight, just once, Logan is acting on instinct. And that instinct is telling him to say "Happy to oblige" to the cute stranger looking for a no-strings fling with a Texas cowboy.

When chef Reese Stephens made her bucket list, she mistakingly thought she had weeks to live. Not that she regrets her one-night-stand with the gorgeous rancher. But she does regret leaving an heirloom watch as a parting gift. Tracking Logan down is easy. Walking away again is another matter. Because Reese's crazy past and Logan's battered heart are no match for the kind of chemistry that could turn one night into the start of a passionate lifetime.

10.) Darkest Journey by Heather Graham
Summary (from Amazon):
Charlene "Charlie" Moreau is back in St. Francisville, Louisiana, to work on a movie. One night, she stumbles across the body of a Civil War reenactor, the second murdered in two days. Charlie is shocked to learn that her father—a guide on the Journey, a historic paddle wheeler that's sponsoring the reenactment—is a suspect.

Meanwhile, Ethan Delaney, new to the FBI's Krewe of Hunters, is brought in on the case. He and Charlie have a history of their own, dating back to when he rescued her from a graveyard—led there by a Confederate ghost! Charlie arranges a Mississippi River cruise so she and Ethan can get close to the reenactors, find out who knows what, who has a motive. They discover a lot more as they resume the relationship that ended ten years ago...but might die, along with them, on the Journey.

11.) Denim and Lace by Diana Palmer
Summary (from Amazon):
Bess Samson was raised in privilege, but always had a thing for Cade Hollister, the rough-and-tumble cowboy next door, even ignoring her controlling, class-conscious mother's warning to stay away from him. But he turned her down—hard. Humiliated, she grew up and moved on, but never truly gave up hope.

Cade has secretly always adored Bess—but is filled with disdain for the Samsons' wealth. Once, the families had been friends, until dark secrets and scandal caused a bitter rift, and now her family won't let him forget his blue-collar roots. But when an accident nearly costs Bess her life, the proud rancher must finally fight for the love he's never forgotten.

12.) Snowfall on Haven Point by RaeAnne Thayne
Summary (from Amazon):
It's been two rough years since Andrea Montgomery lost her husband, and all she wants is for her children to enjoy their first Christmas in Haven Point. But then Andie's friend asks a favor—to keep an eye on her brother, Sheriff Marshall Bailey, who's recovering from a hit and run. And will do anything for Wyn, even park her own misgivings to check on her grouchy, wounded bear of a brother.

Marshall hates feeling defenseless and resents the protective impulses that Andie brings out in him. But when a blizzard forces them together for the holidays, something in Marshall begins to thaw. Annie's gentle nature is a salve, and her kids' excitement for the holidays make him forget why he never wanted a family. If only he and Andie can admit what they really want—each other—their Christmas wishes might come true after all.

Saturday - October 1, 2016

13.) A Kiss in the Snow by Susan Mallery
Summary (from Amazon):
Cupcake baker Nancee Smith is stunned when search-and-rescue pilot Jesse "Shep" Sheppard strides into her kitchen. The last time she saw the Ghost of Heartbreaks Past was the night before he left her at the altar. He said he loved her, then didn't even say goodbye.

Now Shep claims he's done dashing away at the first sign of forever. The romance of Fool's Gold at Christmas tempts her to have faith—snow glistening on rooftops like great swirls of frosting, twinkle lights in every window—but this time around, she's the one with cold feet. If promises alone aren't enough to sway her, Shep will have to show her the love in his heart.



PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - September 27, 2016
1.) Shadow Silence by Yasmine Galenorn
Summary (from Amazon):
Fifteen years ago, I ran away from Whisper Hollow, Washington, a small town on Lake Crescent in the Olympic Peninsula. But truth is, if you were born here, you can never truly leave. I'm Kerris Fellwater, and I'm a spirit shaman. It's my responsibility to drive the dead back to their graves, because around Whisper Hollow, people—and secrets—don't always stay buried.

My best friend Peggin finds herself under a curse after she is almost taken by the Lady of the Lake, and the Unliving are determined to drag her back to the hungry waters. As Bryan—my guardian and mate—and I work to break the hex, we uncover a dark and violent mystery from the past. One of the Hounds of Cu Chulainn will do anything to guard—even if they must summon a legion of the dead to destroy Whisper Hollow.

2.) Dalir's Salvation by Nina Crespo
Summary (from Amazon):
Ari is looking to live a normal life. But after she hits her head, normal is no longer an option. A mysterious, rugged man appears, whom only she can see...each night he fulfills her fantasies and leaves her begging for more. She's sure he's a figment of her imagination—until she finds out the hard way that he's all too real. Now, to truly be with him, Ari will have to embrace the parts of herself she's been desperately keeping at bay.

Dalir's been burned by love before, yet he can't resist Ari's beauty and charm. And all it takes is one kiss to spark nights of passion. But there's danger on the horizon that only Dalir and his friends in the band Thane's Redemption can deal with. And the longer he stays with Ari, the greater the peril to them both. Will the two of them be strong enough to fight for their newfound love—and their lives?

3.) Menagerie by Rachel Vincent
Summary (from Amazon):
When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzler's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus big-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is a breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, griffins and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed. 


Are you planning on picking any of these up this week?

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Publication Date: August 9, 2016
Publisher: HarperCollins
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can't understand Joshua's joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy's overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.

Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her dream job...But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn't hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn't hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.

Review:
On Lucy's first day in the office Joshua refuses to smile at her which begins a rivalry. From the beginning they can't stand each other with their constant bickering and harassment. And now that they're up for the same promotion, their rivalry is kicked up a notch. Lucy can't let Joshua win the promotion because it's her dream job at the publishing company she loves working for. But one day in an elevator changes everything and they begin to rethink their feelings for each other. Lucy is beginning to see Joshua in a new light, a light that might mess up her chances at a promotion if she keeps thinking about Josh in a romantic way. Can their hating game turn into something else...like love?

I absolutely adored this book. From the first page the author caught my attention with her witty writing and interesting characters. Lucy is a great character. She's witty, charming, quirky and very relatable with her clumsiness and mistakes. And Joshua is the perfect hero. He's masculine, hot, and is very serious and determined. Their relationship together was so perfect and I loved every second of it. I love reading a novel that features a love/hate (enemies to lovers) romance, so The Hating Game was right up my alley. I could feel the sparks from the first page and it was interesting to watch Lucy try and sort out her feelings for Josh vice versa. It was romantic. It was funny. It was perfect.

I would definitely recommend The Hating Game to anyone looking for a witty well-written novel with a love/hate relationship.

Rating:

A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare
Publication Date: March 6, 2010
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Amazon Link: HERE
Received From: Purchased


Summary (from Amazon):
He gets crankier as the moon gets full...

The rules of Society can be beastly—especially when you're a werewolf and it's that irritating time of the month. Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, is rich, powerful, and sinfully handsome, and has spent his entire life creating scandal and mayhem. It doesn't help his wolfish temper at all that Miss Lily Rutledge seems not the least bit afraid of him, and in fact, may be as untamable as he is...

A woman whose charm is stronger than the moon...

When Lily's beloved nephew's behavior becomes inexplicably wild, she turns to Simon, the boy's cousin and guardian, for help. But Simon's idea of assistant is far different than hers, and Lily finds herself ensconced in his house and engaged to the rogue. 

They both may have bitten off more than they can chew when each begins to discover the other's darkest secrets...

Review:
When Lily's nephew begins acting odd, such as eating large amounts of food and being very irritable, Lily turns to Simon, the Duke of Blackmoor, for help. He is after all Oliver's guardian and sending money isn't enough. Lily wants answers. Unfortunately Simon can't give Lily answers because she would run the other way if she knew he turned into a wolf during the full moon and that Oliver's beginning to change as well. But Simon can't resist her, even knowing that he should stay far away because he could easily lose control. Will Simon be able to open up to Lily and tell her the truth and will Lily be able to accept Simon for everything he is?

A Certain Wolfish Charm and the following books in the series are historical romance novels but with werewolves. It's amazing how Lydia Dare weaved the story to make it so believable and combined my favorite elements from historical romance (time period and relationships) and paranormal romance (werewolves and mates) into a wonderfully fun to read novel. Lily is a great character because she cares so much for her nephew and will do anything to help him. I also liked that Simon was rude and standoffish at the beginning of the story but slowly came out of his comfort zone by the end of the novel. I also liked Lily and Simon together. I instantly felt the connection between them and loved watching their relationship expand.

Overall, I would recommend A Certain Wolfish Charm to anyone looking for a historical romance with werewolves.

Rating: 

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Here are this week's new releases:

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
Monday - September 19, 2016
1.) Miss Goodhue Lives for a Night by Kate Noble
Summary (from Amazon):
Cecelia Goodhue is a schoolteacher with a past, living with her sister and her husband in a tiny English village. Resigned to a quiet life, Cecilia is surprised when she finds out that her young cousin has run off with a man of no means.

Cecilia had once been a teenaged girl who also fell for a young man's charms—only to be devastated by his betrayal. Determined to not let her cousin meet the same fate, she heads off to London but is shocked when her investigation leads her right to the front door of the very man who broke her heart: Theo Hudson.

Tuesday - September 20, 2016
2.) The Soldier's Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian
Summary (from Amazon):
Jack Turner grew up in the darkness of London's slums, born into a life of crime and willing to do anything to keep his belly full and his siblings safe. Now he uses the tricks and schemes of the underworld to help those who need the kind of assistance only a scoundrel can provide. His distrust of the nobility runs deep and his services do not extend to the gorgeous high-born soldier who personifies everything Jack will never be.

After the chaos of war, Oliver Rivington craves the safe predictability of a gentleman's life—one that doesn't include sparring with a ne'er-do-well who flouts the law at every turn. But Jack temps Oliver like no other man has before. Soon his yearning for the unapologetic criminal is only matched by Jack's pleasure in watching his genteel polish crumble every time they're together. 



CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
Tuesday - September 20, 2016
1.) Her Renegade Rancher by Jennifer Ryan
Summary (from Amazon):
No one knows better than Colt Kendrick that life can change in an instant. He lives without regrets except for one: not making the gorgeous woman he sees ever time he walks into the local diner his.

Luna Hill is haunted by the heart-stopping kiss she and Colt never should have shared. Their timing has always been off. Just as sparks begin to ignite again, she is offered a job that will take her far from their ranching town. But when a dear friend dies unexpectedly, leaving Luna a staggering gift, she has a chance to stay and finally make her long buried wishes come true—even ones that involve the sexiest cowboy she's ever known. Not everyone is happy with Luna's good fortune, and as they make their feelings dangerously and abundantly clear when she falls in their crosshairs, Colt will do anything he can, risk everything he has, to keep her safe. Because Luna showed him he has a heart...and it belongs to her.

2.) The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
Summary (from Amazon):
Nina Redmond is a literary matchmaker. Pairing a reader with that perfect book is her passion...and also her job. Or at least it was. Until yesterday, she was a librarian in the hectic city. But now the job she loved is no more. Determined to make a new life for herself, Nina moves to a sleepy village many miles away. There she buys a van and transforms it into a bookmobile—a mobile bookshop that she drives from neighborhood to neighborhood, changing one life after another with the power of storytelling.

From helping her grumpy landlord deliver a lamb, to sharing picnics with a charming train conductor who serenades her with poetry, Nina discovers there's plenty of adventure, magic, and soul in a place that's beginning to feel like home...a place where she might be able to write her own happy ending. 

3.) Visibly Broken by Chelsea Camaron and MJ Fields
Summary (from Amazon):
Jason "Cobra" Stanley was born to fight. With a father like his, he had to toughen up just to survive. Now Cobra tries to take out all of his frustration, all of his anger, and all of his pain in the MMA cage. But after he receives one too many hits to the head during a match, the cycle of violence comes to a screeching halt. Cobra wakes up in the hospital, under the care of a nurse whose blond hair shines like a halo—and whose pure heart touches him on the deepest level.

Lorraine Bosch is a fighter too. The lone survivor of a chilling family tragedy, she prides herself on remaining professional, despite the chaos of the ER. But Cobra is the ultimate distraction. Lorraine knows she should run away screaming from his rippling muscles and shattered psyche. And yet how can she deny this broken man a second chance—especially since she knows exactly what she's been through? Lorraine's used to playing guardian angel. Now it's her turn to find heaven in Cobra's arms.

4.) Nothing More by Anna Todd
Summary (from Goodreads):
New York's skyscrapers and hectic pace are a far cry from where Landon Gibson grew up, and the transition to New York University has been jarring. But he's getting the hang of things, found a job that pays (some of) the bills, enjoys school, and only occasionally runs into his ex, Dakota. You know, the only he chose NYU for...before she dumped him.

Luckily, his best friend, Tessa, shares a (terribly small) Brooklyn apartment with him. And given the ups and downs she's had with her own ex, she's a good listener when he finds himself in something of a love triangle—a love knot? Whatever it is, it's a mess. An exciting mess. Maybe an addicting mess, because beautiful girls. 

5.) Billionaire on the Loose by Jessica Clare
Summary (from Amazon):
Taylor is a genius when it comes to computers, but understanding the opposite sex is beyond her. Because she always fumbles her flirtations, she needs help in finding her Prince Charming. So when her friend, Gretchen, sets her up as a tour guide for a new guy in town, she says yes despite her misgivings. 

A faction in his country wants him to be king, but Loch has no intention of taking the crown. To keep from being named as the next successor, he hatches a scheme to marry a totally unacceptable American woman. Quirky Taylor seems like the perfect person for the job, until Loch realizes he likes more about her ability to keep him off the throne. 



PARANORMAL ROMANCE:
Tuesday - September 20, 2016
1.) Immortal Nights by Lynsay Sands
Summary (from Amazon):
Abigail Forsythe's life hasn't been easy lately. Still, if there's one thing guaranteed to take her mind off an empty bank account and abandoned dreams, it's a naked man locked in a plane's cargo hold. A very big, incredibly gorgeous naked man. And when instinct prompts her to free him, Abigail must rely on this stranger for survival...a stranger who leaves her thrumming with need every time they touch.

Tommaso Notte knows he's found his life mate in Abigail. Now he just has to hold on to her. They're miles from civilization, hunted by his kidnappers. Abigail has no idea of Tomasso's abilities, or of how intensely pleasurable their unique connection can be. But he's about to show her, beginning with one wild, hot, immortal night...

2.) Blood Red Kiss by Kresley Cole, Larissa Ione, and Gena Showalter
Summary (from Amazon):
In Presley Cole's remastered story "The Warlord Wants Forever," the first in her scorching Immortals After Dark series, vampire warlord Nikolai Wroth will stop at nothing to claim his Bride, the only woman who can make his heart beat again. But can beautiful Myst the Coveted accept an enemy vampire as her own?

They has spent the last twelve years as an accidental wolf, but is truly a vampire at heart. When she gets injured, Lobo sneaks her inside MoonBound's headquarters and nurses her back to health...with potentially deadly consequences. Desire collides with danger in "Forsaken by Night," a MoonBound Clan novella form Larissa Ione.

In Gena Showalter's Otherworld Assassins novella, Dark Swan, Lilica Swan isn't quite human or otherworlder; she is the best—and worst—of both. She is willing to do whatever proves necessary to save her sister from the seductive and deadly Alien Investigation and Removal agent, Dallas Gutierrez, even bond her life to his...effectively wedding him. But without consummation, the bond will fade. Can Dallas resist his insatiable desire for the powerful beauty? Or will she lead to his ultimate downfall?



What books are you planning on buying? Which ones sound the most interesting? And what is your favorite genre?